It’s summer and that means the sun stays in the sky longer and the temperature in the air grows warmer. All this extra light and heat gives us more time to spend outside and in the ocean or the pool having fun, but it also means that our bodies will be needing greater amounts of hydration.

Our bodies recognize that we are in summer because of the seasonal shifts that happen around us, and to compensate for the greater exposure to light and heat our bodies release more water in the form of sweat to keep us cool. You might recognize yourself sweating more when you are exercising or merely outside walking; but what you probably don’t notice is that you are also probably subtly sweating more in your sleep and throughout the day in general. This is natural and this is good; your body is doing its job in making sure you do not become over heated. However, it needs your conscious support to keep it hydrated.

Staying hydrated comes with a whole bunch of benefits. Some of those benefits are:

Weight Loss & Weight Regulation

Higher Amounts of Energy

Memory Loss Prevention

Fresh & Glowing Skin

Stronger Hair & Nails

Healthy Digestion

Healthy Function of Kidneys

Aid of Natural Detoxification Process

Good Joint Health

All good things right?! So you see why staying hydrated is so important to your overall health.

Now, here are some good tips to making sure you stay hydrated throughout your day:

Drink a large glass or bottle of water in the morning to replenish your system after the extended period of time in which you aren’t hydrating because of sleep.

Drink an 8 ounce or more glass or bottle of water within a 2 hour period, every 2 hours.

Drink coconut water when feeling extra dehydrated to also replenish electrolytes. Great for post-workouts!

Get hydration from your food!

Straight water is not the only way your body can receive the hydration it needs.

Your digestive system will extract water from the food you eat, so eat more of the following water rich foods throughout the summer:

Watermelon

Peaches

Grapes

Berries

Tomatoes

Cucumber

Carrots

Celery

Lettuce and Greens

Zucchini & Yellow Squash

So as you can see, staying hydrated can taste great too!

Now we all know how important hydration is, how great it can be for us, and how we can all be mindful is staying hydrated. So drink your water and eat your water rich foods and go forth, soak up the sun, work up a sweat, and have fun!

When you just can’t have another salad with your soup or sandwich but are still wanting to get your fibrous greens and veggies in, slaws are the way to go! I bring my lunch to work almost every day, and I like a side salad of some sort to accompany my main soup, sandwich, or wrap. However, there are weeks where I just cannot bring myself to prep another line up of basic salads. When I have these weeks, I turn to slaws.

There is something about slaws. They’re crispy and crunchy, they have their own feels and tastes that distinguish them enough from salads while also still providing you greens and fiber. Especially in the Fall and Winter when delicate lettuces, tomatoes, and other salad toppings are not in peak season, slaws become even more optimal by utilizing Autumn-Winter produce such as cabbage, dark leafy greens, and Brussels Sprouts.

When we turned the corner into Fall this year, I sought to create a slaw that is comprised of some of the great seasonal offerings, that is crunchy-fun to eat, and of course, tastes fantastic. And so, I came up with this Autumn Slaw. Really, this slaw is perfect to take us all the way through Fall and Winter to Spring.

Curly, earthy green kale, shredded Brussels Sprouts, rich purple cabbage, crisp and bright fennel, and tart pomegranate seeds in a zingy apple cider vinegar dressing make this dish fresh, dynamically flavorful, and hearty yet light. It is a fantastic side dish for lunch or dinner in place of salad; and it could even be a snack. I feel fantastic eating this slaw and love how you can prep at the start of the week and enjoy it all week long. I hope you enjoy this healthy and delightful recipe too!

Add the kale, cabbage, fennel, Brussels Sprouts, and pomegranate seeds all together. Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey, oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour over the slaw and mix with your hands, massaging the slaw until tender.

You can also divide slaw into containers, make dressing in container, and only toss when ready to eat.

Quinoa has really made it big these days; and I am ALL about it! Quinoa is often described as a grain, but it is technically the seed of a grain. As a seed, it packs a ton of protein, making this a great choice for a carb/starch side in place of the usual rice, pasta, and potatoes. I am often asked how to prepare quinoa; and I always tell people that it is kind of absurdly easy.

Here is the basic formula for cooking quinoa:

1 part quinoa to 2 parts water

Bring to a boil over high heat in a small sauce pan, then reduce heat to low and cover

Cook for 15-20 minutes

Fluff with a fork and Done!

Now, that you know how to cook quinoa through, you can basically do ANYTHING with it. Still, you might want a starter recipe; this Lemon Herb Quinoa with Greens recipe is for you! It makes the perfect side to almost anything. Hope you enjoy!

Place the quinoa, water, and salt in a small pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until the quinoa has absorbed the water and the quinoa has puffed, 15-20 minutes. Fluff with fork.

While the quinoa cooks, mix the lemon zest, juice, olive oil, pepper, and crushed garlic in a small bowl.

Once you’ve fluffed the quinoa, add the basil, parsley, and chopped greens. Mix until the greens are wilted. Add the lemon and oil mixture into the bowl and toss. Season with additional pepper and serve.

Tell me, how do you make your quinoa?

About Me

Ciao! I’m Johnny La Pasta! I’m here to talk about food, yoga, wellness, and overall balanced living. Any thoughts I have on any of these subjects is fair game here! Hope you find my words entertaining and informative! Namaste!